A New Era in Southern Syria: Suweida Province Center Takes Control of the Opposition
Suweida province, located in southern Syria and where the majority of the population is Druze, has fallen under the control of anti-regime opposition groups. This development represents a significant loss for the Assad regime on the southern front. Local opposition groups that took control of Suweida gave regime forces 24 hours to withdraw from the province and then completely took control.
Strategic Importance of Suweida
Suweida is located in southern Syria, close to the Jordanian border. The Druze, who make up the majority of the population, have long maintained a distant stance against the regime in this region. The fact that opposition groups have taken control of Suweida is considered a significant strategic loss for the Assad regime.
According to local sources, opposition groups in Suweida had called for the regime forces to completely withdraw from the region. Following the failure of negotiations with the regime, local opposition groups have managed to take full control of the provincial center.
Opposition Advances Throughout Syria
The developments in Suweida are a continuation of opposition advances in other parts of Syria. In recent months in particular, anti-regime groups have made significant strategic gains:
Aleppo and Idlib: In the clashes that began on November 27, the opposition captured a large part of central Aleppo and took control of all of Idlib on November 30.
Hama and Homs: The opposition, who captured the city center of Hama on December 5, also made progress in Homs, one of the important gateways to the capital Damascus.
Deraa: The provincial center of Dera, on the Jordanian border, was taken from regime forces on December 6 and transferred to opposition control.
Tell Rifaat: Within the scope of Operation Freedom Dawn conducted by the Syrian National Army, the Tel Rifaat district center in the Aleppo countryside was liberated from the terrorist organization PKK/YPG.
A New Era on the Southern Front in Syria
The fall of Suweida to the opposition has the potential to reshape the balance of power in Syria. The region is of critical importance in terms of both humanitarian aid routes and military strategy due to its proximity to the Jordanian border.
While this development means the risk of losing its dominance in the south for the Assad regime, it also increases the strategic gains in the hands of the opposition. At the same time, the efforts of local groups in Suweida to establish an independent administration by gaining the support of the local people are also noteworthy.
International Community and Regional Impacts
These developments in Syria are drawing the attention of the international community to the region again. The change in control of Suweida in particular is an important development for Jordan and other neighboring countries in terms of border security and humanitarian aid corridors.
The regional impacts of the ongoing conflict in Syria require international actors to accelerate their search for a solution. Changes in strategic regions such as Suweida indicate the need for new diplomatic initiatives to ensure peace and stability.
